The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran eBook

When he had gone some little distance from the place,
there met him in the way a stag awaiting him with
utmost gentleness. Saint Kiaranus placed his
book-satchels upon him, and wheresoever the stag would
go, Saint Kieranus followed him. The stag came
to Loch Rii which is in the east of Connachta; he
stood over against Inis Angin, which is in that lake.
Thereby Saint Kyaranus understood that the Lord had
called him to that island, and dismissing the stag
with a blessing he entered that island and dwelt there.

XXXVIII. CIARAN IN INIS AINGHIN

27. Now when the fame of his holiness was noised
abroad, from far and wide and from every quarter good
men came together to him, and Saint Kiaranus made
them his monks. And many alms, in respect of various
matters, would be given to Saint Kiaranus and to his
people by the Faithful. But a certain presbyter,
by name Daniel, who owned Inis Angin, inspired by
the devil’s envy, set about expelling Saint
Kyaranus with his followers by force from the island.
But Saint Kiaranus, wishing to benefit his persecutor,
sent him by faithful messengers a royal gift which
had been given him in alms, namely a golden antilum,
well adorned. When the presbyter saw it, at first
he refused to accept it; but afterwards, on the persuasion
of trustworthy men, he received it gratefully.
And presbyter Daniel, filled with the grace of God,
came and gifted Inis Angin which was in his possession,
to God and to Saint Kiaranus for ever.

XXXIX. THE COMING OF OENNA

28. On another day when Saint Kiaranus was in
that island Angin, he heard the voice of a man in
the port wishing to enter the island; and he said
to his brethren, “Go ye, my brethren, and lead
me hither him who is to be your abbot after me.”
So the brethren, voyaging quickly, found an unconsecrated
youth in the port, whom despising they left there.
Coming back, they said unto Saint Kiaranus, “We
found no man there save an unconsecrated youth, who
wandered as a fugitive in the woods; he it is who
calleth in the port. Far removed from abbotship
is his rudeness!” To these Saint Kiaranus
said: “Voyage ye without delay and bring
him with speed; for the Lord having revealed it to
me, by his voice I have recognised that he shall be
your abbot after me.” When the brethren
heard this, they forthwith led him in, and Saint Kiaranus
tonsured him, and he read diligently with him, and
was filled from day to day with the grace of God;
and after the most blessed Kiaranus, he was the holy
abbot. For he is the blessed Aengus, son of Luigse.